Another way of looking at all this vision and mission stuff is to think about what problems your nonprofit solves. What questions do you answer? Where do you bring healing or opportunity or enrichment to your community?

If you’re doing other things that don’t serve the work of solving those problems, why are you letting yourself and your organization become distracted?

Why do the people you are chartered to serve need you?

If you’re not doing the things that answer that question, then stop and refocus.

Here is an exercise that might help you identify and focus on the core problems your nonrpofit solves

Think about your ‘ideal’ client or customer or student. Take about 5-10 minutes and write out her or his story – as if you were her or him. Write a letter from that person to your organization, asking for the help that your organization provides.

Can you come up with 2 or 3 key issues that that person would want help with?